Dotcom's birthday party cancelled

KIM Dotcom's album release and birthday party at Auckland's Vector Arena has been cancelled after New Zealand's Electoral Commission found it could breach electoral laws.

The internet entrepreneur had planned "The Party Party" in the Vector arena on Monday to celebrate his 40th birthday, the release of his hip hop album Good Times, and to coincide with the second anniversary of the FBI raids on his Coatesville mansion.

But on Thursday, a day after details of Mr Dotcom's new political party the Internet Party were leaked, the celebration was cancelled after the German giant received advice from the Electoral Commission saying the event could break electoral laws.

"Because the tickets were free, we were advised that the purpose of the event could be misunderstood," he said in a statement.

"The future of New Zealand is more important to me than one night of fun. I hope you agree."

Mr Dotcom said 25,000 people had registered for his birthday party, and he had planned to have great live music and "other surprises".

After the announcement, Mr Dotcom tweeted: "I'm really sad right now :-(."

An Electoral Commission spokesman confirmed advice had been sent through to the party's legal representatives on Wednesday night.

In an email the commission told Mr Dotcom's legal advisers that, although the party wasn't about his political party it would influence the votes of the people present, and those promoting or attending it would be at risk of prosecution.

Mr Dotcom is expected to announce more details about his Internet Party on Monday - although he planned to do this at a separate event.

The Internet Party has already caused a stir after Cameron Slater published the party's leaked strategy document on his right-wing blog Whale Oil on Wednesday.

The document, written by blogger Martyn Bradbury, suggested Bradbury run for the party in an Auckland electorate.

Scoop editor and press gallery journalist Alistair Thompson said he would be the party's secretary after resigning from his position on Wednesday.

Despite Scoop's owner Selwyn Pellett confirming Thompson had resigned, Thompson tweeted on Thursday: "I have not left Scoop. More like I am having a sabbatical inside the business I founded 17 years ago as a client."